Drive apparatus and electric power steering apparatus using the same

ABSTRACT

An electric power steering apparatus includes a motor, a controller including electrical components mounted on a substrate, and a connector unit including a cover that includes a first connector and a second connector, the first and second connectors connecting power and signals, in which each of the first connector and the second connector comprises a power supply part and a signal connection part, each of the power terminal and the signal terminal extend from the substrate in an axial direction of the motor, each of the power terminal and the signal terminal extend through the cover, each of the first connector and the second connector are arranged within a silhouette of the motor along the axial direction of the motor, each of the first connector and the second connector comprises an opening positioned on a side of the cover opposite the motor in the axial direction of the motor, the first connector and the second connector connect to and disconnect from the harness in a direction substantially parallel to the axial direction of the motor, and a portion of each of the power terminal and the signal terminal that extends from the cover toward the substrate in the axial direction has a substantially straight shape.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE TO ANY PRIORITY APPLICATIONS

Any and all applications for which a foreign or domestic priority claimis identified in the Application Data Sheet as filed with the presentapplication are hereby incorporated by reference under 37 CFR 1.57.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a drive apparatus and an electricpower steering apparatus using the same.

Description of the Related Art

An electronic control unit used for an electric power steering apparatushas been known. For example, according to Japanese Patent ApplicationLaid-Open Publication No. 2015-116095, two substrates are provided withpower modules. The power modules are provided between substrates, andconnected to an input/output substrate by leads disposed in aninput/output side of the sealing package, and connected to a controlsubstrate by leads disposed in the control substrate side.

According to the above-mentioned patent literature JP-A-2015-116095,terminals connected to the input/output substrate are folded fromoutside the substrate so as to connect with the substrate. Hence, awiring space causes an increase in size and may require long wirings.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure has been achieved in light of the above-describedcircumstances, and provides a drive apparatus capable of reducing thewiring space, and an electric power steering apparatus using the same.

A drive apparatus according to the present disclosure is provided with amotor, a plurality of substrates and a plurality of connectors.

The motor includes a plurality of winding groups. The substrates areprovided in one side of the motor relative to the axial directionthereof, the substrates including switching elements and controlcomponents mounted thereon, the switching element serving as aconduction control of the winding groups, and the control componentsbeing related to a driving control of the motor. The connectors areprovided in an opposite side against the motor across the substrates,the connectors including connector terminals connected to one of thesubstrates.

Each of the substrate includes two or more non-overlapped regions wherethe substrate is not overlapped with other substrate when projecting thesubstrates in the axial direction. A connector connecting region isdefined as at least one of regions in the non-overlapped regions, theconnector connecting region being connected to the connector terminals.A motor line connecting region is defined as at least one of regions inthe non-overlapped regions excluding the connector connecting region,the motor line connecting region being connected to the winding groupscorresponding to every phase of each winding group.

According to the present disclosure, the connector terminals, the motorlines and substrates are connected in the non-overlapped region. Thus,since the connector terminals and the motor lines extend substantiallystraight to connect to the substrates, a wiring space can be minimized.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a steeringsystem according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram showing a drive apparatus according to thefirst embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the drive apparatus according to the firstembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 3, taken along IV-IV line;

FIG. 5 is a schematic side view illustrating an arrangement of systemsof the drive apparatus according to the first embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an arrangement of substrateaccording to the first embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a schematic side view illustrating an arrangement of systemsof the drive apparatus according to the second embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 8 is a circuit diagram showing a drive apparatus according to thesecond embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing a positional alignment of thesubstrate according to the third embodiment; and

FIG. 10 is a schematic side view showing a positional alignment of thesubstrate according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to the drawings, hereinafter, a drive apparatus accordingto the present disclosure and an electric power steering apparatus usingthe drive apparatus will be described. Hereinafter, in a plurality ofembodiments, the same reference signs are applied to substantially thesame configuration and the explanation thereof will be omitted.

First Embodiment

With reference to FIGS. 1 to 6, the first embodiment of the presentdisclosure will be described.

As shown in FIG. 1, the drive apparatus 1 is applied to an electricpower steering apparatus 108 that assists a steering operation by thedriver. A motor 10 as a rotary electric machine and a controller 20 thatperforms a driving control of the motor 10 are integrated to configurethe drive apparatus 1. In FIG. 1, the controller 20 is indicated as“ECU”.

FIG. 1 illustrates an overall configuration of a steering system 100provided with an electric power steering apparatus 108. The steeringsystem 100 is configured of a steering wheel 101 as a steering member, acolumn shaft 102, a pinion gear 104, a rack shaft 105, a wheel 106, andan electric power steering apparatus 108 or the like.

The steering wheel 101 is connected to the column shaft 102. The columnshaft 102 is provided with a torque sensor 103 that detects a steeringtorque. A pinion gear 104 is provided at the tip end of the column shaft102, and engages the rack shaft 105.

A pair of wheels 106 are provided at both ends of the rack shaft 105 viaa tie rod or the like.

When the driver rotates the steering wheel 101, the column shaft 102connected to the steering wheel 101 rotates. A rotary motion of thecolumn shaft 102 is converted into a linear motion of the rack shaft 105by the pinion gear 104, whereby the pair of wheel 106 is steered with anangle in response to the variation of the rack shaft 105.

The electric power steering apparatus 108 is provided with a reductiongear 109 as a power transmission member and a drive apparatus 1. Theelectric power steering apparatus 108 outputs, from the motor 10, anauxiliary torque that assists steering of the steering wheel 101 to betransmitted to the column shaft 102 via the reduction gear 109, based ona steering torque acquired by the torque sensor 103 and a running speedsignal acquired via CAN (controller area network) which is not shown.Specifically, the electric power steering apparatus 108 according to thepresent embodiment assists rotation of the column shaft 102 with atorque generated by the motor 10, that is, so called “column assist”.However, so called “rack assist” that assists the rack shaft 105 may beused. In other word, according to the present embodiment, the columnshaft 102 is defined as a “drive object”, but the rack shaft 105 may bedefined as the “drive object”.

Next, with reference to FIG. 2, electrical configuration of the electricpower steering apparatus 108 will be described. In FIG. 2, wirings onthe substrates 21 and 22 are shown with a thin line and a part ofwirings are omitted to eliminate complications. The motor 10 isconfigured of a three-phase brushless motor, including 2 winding groupsthat is, windings 11 (first winding 11) and windings 22 (second winding12) which wound around the stator (not shown). Each of the windings 11and windings 12 is configured as three-phase windings. The first winding11 includes an U1 coil 111, a V1 coil 112, and a W1 coil 113. The secondwinding 12 includes a U2 coil 121, a V2 coil 122 and a W2 coil 123. Thecurrent flowing thorough each phase of the first winding is defined as aphase current Iu1, Iv1 and Iw1, and the current flowing through eachphase of the second winding is defined as Iu2, Iv2 and Iw2. The motor 10has a rotating axis and rotates around the rotating axis. The directionwhere the rotating axis extends is defined as an axial direction.

The first winding 11 is supplied with power from a first battery 39 viaa first inverter 30 connected to the first winding 11.

The first inverter 30 includes 6 switching elements 301 to 306 connectedto form a bridge circuit, thereby converting the power of the firstwinding 11. Hereinafter, “switching element” is abbreviated as “SWelement”. The SW elements 301 to 306 are configured of MOSFETs (metaloxide semiconductor field effect transistor), but may be configured ofIGBTs or thyristors. The SW elements 401 to 406 and the relay 32, 33,42, 43 or the like which will be described later are the same as theabove.

The SW elements 301 to 303 are arranged in a high-potential side and theSW elements 304 to 306 are arranged in a low-potential side. One end ofan U1 coil 111 is connected to a connection point between the U-phase SWelements 301 and 304. One end of a V1 coil 112 is connected to aconnection point between the V-phase SW elements 302 and 305. One end ofa W1 coil 113 is connected to a connection point between the W-phase SWelements 303 and 306.

A first current sensor 31 is provided in the low potential side of theSW elements 304 to 306, to detect phase current Iu1, Iv1 and Iw1. Thefirst current sensor 31 includes current detectors 311 to 313 providedto respective phases. The current detectors 311 to 313 according to thepresent embodiment are shunt resistors. However, Hall elements or thelike can be used therefor. The current detectors 411 to 413 are the sameas the current detectors 311 to 313.

The first power relay 32 is provided between the first battery 39 andthe first inverter 30 and controls the current between the first battery39 and the first inverter 30 to be conduction or cutoff. A firstreverse-connection protection relay 33 is provided between the firstpower relay 32 and the first inverter 30. The first reverse-connectionprotection relay 33 is connected such that the direction of theparasitic diode is opposite to the first power relay 32. Thus, reversecurrent can be prevented from flowing in the case where the firstbattery 39 is connected in reverse.

The first choke coil 35 is provided in the first battery 39 side of thefirst power relay 32.

The first capacitor 36 is connected in parallel to the first inverter30. The choke coil 35 and the capacitor 36 configures a filter circuitto reduce noise propagated from other devices which share the battery39, and also reduce noise propagating from the drive apparatus 1 toother devices which share the battery 39. The capacitor 36 storeselectrical charge to assist supplying power to the first inverter 30.

A second inverter 40 is connected to the second winding 12 to whichpower is supplied from the second battery 49 via the second inverter 40.

The second inverter 40 converts the power of the second winding 12,where 6 SW elements are connected as a bridge connection. The SWelements 401 to 403 are arranged in the high potential side and the SWelements 404 to 406 are arranged in the low potential side. One end ofthe U2 coil 121 is connected to a connection point between the U-phaseSW elements 401 and 404. One end of the V2 coil 122 is connected to aconnection point between the V-phase SW elements 402 and 405. One end ofthe W2 coil 123 is connected to a connection point between the W-phaseSW elements 403 and 406.

In the low potential side of the SW elements 404 to 406, a secondcurrent sensor 41 is provided. The second current sensor 41 includescurrent detectors 411 to 413.

A second choke coil 45, a second power relay 42, and secondreverse-connection protection relay 43 are disposed in this order fromthe second battery 49 side, between the second battery 49 and the secondinverter 40.

Since the second power relay 42, the second reverse-connectionprotection relay 43, the second choke coil 45 and the second capacitor46 are similar to the first power relay 32, the first reverse-connectionprotection relay 33, the first choke coil 35 and the first capacitor 36,explanation thereof will be omitted. Assuming the power relays 32 and 42are mechanical relays, the reverse-connection relays 33 and 43 can beomitted.

A first control unit 501 controls conduction of the first winding 11,including a first microprocessor 51 and a first integrated circuit 56.It should be noted that the integrated circuit is denoted as ASIC(application specific circuit) in the drawings.

The first microprocessor 51 generates a control signal that controlsON/OFF operation of the SW elements 301 to 306 of the first inverter 30,the relay 32 and the relay 33, based on detection values of the firstcurrent sensor 31, a rotation sensor 60 and the torque sensor 103 (seeFIG. 1).

The first integrated circuit 56 includes a pre-driver, a signalamplifier and a regulator.

The pre-driver generates a gate signal in accordance with a controlsignal. The generated gate signal is outputted to gates of the SWelements 301 to 306. Thus, the SW elements 301 to 306 are ON-OFFcontrolled. The signal amplifier amplifies the detection signals of thefirst current sensor 31 or the like and outputs the amplified detectionsignals to the first microprocessor 51. The regulator stabilizes thevoltage supplied to the first microprocessor 51 or the like.

A first control unit 502 controls conduction of the second winding 12,including a second microprocessor 52 and a second integrated circuit 57.

The second microprocessor 52 generates a control signal that controlsON/OFF operation of the SW elements 401 to 406 of the second inverter40, the relay 42 and the relay 43, based on detection values of thesecond current sensor 41, the rotation sensor 60 and the torque sensor103 (see FIG. 1).

The second integrated circuit 57 includes a pre-driver, a signalamplifier and a regulator.

The pre-driver generates a gate signal in accordance with a controlsignal. The generated gate signal is outputted to gates of the SWelements 401 to 406. Thus, the SW elements 401 to 406 are ON-OFFcontrolled. The signal amplifier amplifies the detection signals of thesecond current sensor 41 or the like and outputs the amplified detectionsignals to the second microprocessor 52. The regulator stabilizes thevoltage supplied to the second microprocessor 52 or the like.

The rotation sensor 60 includes a first sensor 61 and a second sensor62. In the drawings, the first sensor 61 is described as “sensor 1” andthe second sensor 62 is described as “sensor 2”.

Each of the sensors 61 and 62 is configured as an IC including a sensorelement that detects a magnetic flux changing in response to a rotationof a magnet 16 (described later), an A/D converter that converts adetection signal of the sensor element into digital data, and acalculator that performs various calculations based on the A/D converteddetection value.

In accordance with the detection value, the calculator has a function ofcalculating a rotational angle of the motor 10 and a function ofcalculating a rotational frequency of the motor 10, based on detectedvalue, and outputs information about the rotational angle andinformation about the rotation frequency to the microprocessors 51 and52. According to the present embodiment, the output signal depending onthe detection signal of the first sensor 61 is outputted to the firstmicroprocessor 51 and the output signal depending on the detectionsignal of the second sensor 62 is outputted to the microprocessor 52.Even when the system is stopped, the rotational frequency of the motor10 is counted so that a rotational angle of the steering wheel 101 as asteering angle can be appropriately calculated in accordance with therotational angle and the rotation frequency of the motor 10. As aresult, a steering sensor detecting the steering angle can be omitted.

In the following description, the first winding 11, and the firstinverter 30 and the first control unit 501 or the like providedcorresponding to the first wirings 11 are denoted as a first system 901.The second windings 12, and the second inverter 40 and the secondcontrol unit 502 or the like provided corresponding to the secondwindings 12 are denoted as a second system 902. In the drawings, toavoid complication, the rotation sensor 60 is not included in thesystems 901 and 902. However, the first sensor 61 may be included in thefirst system 901 and the second sensor 62 may be included in the secondsystem 902. Also, in the drawings, the first system 901 is denoted as“system 1” and the second system 902 is denoted as “system 2”.

According to the present embodiment, circuit components such as thefirst inverter 30 and the first control unit 501 are providedcorresponding to the first winding 11, and circuit components such asthe second inverter 40 and the second control unit 502 are providedcorresponding to the second windings 12. Hence, even when an abnormalityoccurs in a part of the circuit components such as the inverters 30 and40, and an abnormality occurs in either the first control unit 501 andthe second control unit 502, the motor 10 can be driven continuously. Inother words, in the drive apparatus 1 according to the presentembodiment, in addition to the inverters 30 and 40, the circuitconfiguration including the control units 501 and 502 is configured as aredundant configuration.

According to the present embodiment, the first battery 39 and the secondbattery 49 are provided, and also batteries are configured as aredundancy configuration. Different voltages may be used for thebatteries 39 and 49. When the voltages of the battery 39 and 49 aredifferent, for example, a voltage converter or the like may be disposedat least between the first battery 39 and the first inverter 30, orbetween the second battery 49 and the second inverter 40.

In the positive electrode sides of the batteries 39 and 49, fuses 38 and48 are provided.

A white triangle in the circuit diagram denotes a connection pointbetween each terminal and the substrates 21 and 22.

According to the present embodiment, the terminals 755 to 758 providedat the first connector 75 are connected to the first substrate 21, andthe terminals 765 to 768 provided at the second connector 76 areconnected to the substrate 22. Also, the internal signal terminal 717 isconnected to the first substrate 21 and the second substrate 22. Thedetailed terminal connection will be described later.

In FIG. 2, the power terminal is denoted as “power 1”, “power 2”, theground terminal is denoted as “GND1” and “GND2”, the torque signalterminal is denoted as “trq1” and “trq2”, and the vehicle signalterminal is denoted as “CAN 1”, “CAN 2”.

The structure of the drive apparatus is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG. 4is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IV-IV in FIG. 3, in whicha part of the configuration in a front side than the cut section (i.e.,lower part of the paper sheet surface of FIG. 3) is shown with atwo-dotted line).

As shown in FIG. 4, the motor 10 is provided with a stator, a rotor, anda shaft 15 or the like. The windings 11 and 12 are wound around thestator and fixed inside the motor case 17. The rotor is providedrotatably relative to the stator. The shaft 15 is fixed to the centeraxis of the rotor. Thus, the shaft 15 and the rotator integrally rotate.

At an opposite end portion of the shaft 15 relative to the controller20, a reduction gear 109 (see FIG. 1) and an output terminal which isnot shown are provided. Thus, the torque generated by a rotation of therotor and the shaft 15 is transmitted to the column shaft 102 via thereduction gear 109. In the specification, it should be noted thatrotation of the rotor and the shaft 15 is simply referred to as “motor10 rotates”

A magnet 16 rotating integrally with the shaft 15 is provided at an endportion in the controller 20 side of the shaft 15.

The motor case 17 includes a cylindrical member 171 formed in asubstantial cylindrical shape. The stator, the rotor and the shaft 15are accommodated inside the radial direction of the motor case 17.

A frame 18 is provided in a controller 20 side of the stator and therotor, and fixed inside the radial direction of the motor case 17, bypress fitting or the like. According to the present embodiment, themotor case 17 and the frame 18 forms an outline of the motor 10. Theshaft 15 is inserted into the frame 18, and the magnet 16 is exposed tothe controller 20 side.

The coils 111 to 113 corresponding to respective phases of the firstwinding 11 are connected to the motor lines 115. The motor lines 115 areinserted into a motor line insertion hole (not shown) formed in theframe 18, and withdrawn to be connected to the first substrate 21.

The coils 121 to 123 corresponding to respective phases of the secondwinding 12 are connected to the motor lines 125. (not shown) formed inthe frame 18, and withdrawn to be connected to the second substrate 22.

The controller 20 is provided at one side of the motor 10 in the axialdirection thereof. The controller 20 is provided as being accommodatedin a motor silhouette which is a projection region where the motor case17 is projected in the axial direction. Hereinafter, the axial directionand the radial direction of the motor 10 are simply referred to as“axial direction” and “radial direction” as an axial direction and aradial direction of the drive apparatus 1.

The controller 20 includes the substrates 21 and 22 on which variouselectronic components are mounted, and a connector unit 70.

The first substrate 21 and second substrate 22 are provided in one sideof the motor 10 in the axial direction thereof and within a motorsilhouette. A heat sink 80 is provided between the first substrate 21and the second substrate 22. The heat sink 80 is made of a material suchas aluminum or the like having a good thermal conductivity. The firstsubstrate 21 is fixed to a motor 10 side of the heat sink 80 by a screw(not shown).

The second substrate 22 is fixed to an opposite portion to the motor 10side of the heat sink 80 by a screw. In other words, the substrates 21and 22 are fixed to both sides of the heat sink 80. The heat sink 80 isfixed to the frame 18 by a heat sink fixing screw (not shown) while thesubstrates 21 and 22 are fixed. In other words, the substrates 21 and 22are stuck perpendicularly relative to an imaginary line which is anextended axis line of the motor 10. The term “perpendicularly” is notnecessarily strictly perpendicular, but tolerates a small assemblingerror.

According to the present embodiment, a surface in the heat sink 80 sideof the first substrate 21 is referred to as a first surface 211, asurface in an opposite side of the heat sink 80, that is, a surface inthe motor 10 side is referred to as the second surface 212. Similarly, asurface in the heat sink side of the second substrate 22 is referred toas the first surface 221 and a surface in an opposite side of the heatsink 80 of the second substrate 22 is referred to as the second surface222. The SW elements 301 to 306, the current detectors 311 to 313 (notshown in FIG. 4) and the first integrated circuit 56 or the like aremounted on the first surface 211 of the first substrate 21. The SWelements 401 to 406, the current detectors 411 to 413 (not shown in FIG.4) and the second integrated circuit 57 or the like are mounted on thefirst surface 211 of the second substrate 22. In FIG. 4, only the SWelements 301, 302, 401 and 402 are shown among the SW elements 301 to306 and 401 to 406.

The SW elements 301 to 306 and 401 to 406 are provided being capable ofradiating heat from the heat sink 80. It should be noted that “providedas being capable of radiating heat” is not limited to the case where theSW elements 301 to 306, and 401 to 406 directly contact with the heatsink 80, but includes the case where the SW elements indirectly contactwith the frame 18 via a heat-dissipation member such as heat dissipationgel, for example.

According to the present embodiment, the SW elements 301 to 306 and 401to 406 are defined as “heat-generating elements”. In addition to the SWelements 301 to 306 and 401 to 406, electric components other than theSW elements such as the integrated circuits 56 and 57, and currentdetectors 311 to 313 and 411 to 413 may be regarded as heat-generationelements, and may be provided to the heat sink 80, as being capable ofradiating heat.

The first choke coil 35 (not shown in FIG. 4), the first capacitor 36,the first microprocessor 51 and the rotation sensor 60 or the like aremounted on the second surface 212 of the first substrate 21. Therotation sensor 60 is mounted to a portion facing the magnet 16.According to the present embodiment, each of the first sensor 61 and thesecond sensor 62 is formed of IC (integrated circuit) chip, and thesetwo chips are accommodated in a single package 69. The rotation sensor60 is mounted such that distances of respective magnetic sensorsincluded in the sensors 61 and 62 relative to the center of the magnet16 are the same. For the magnetic sensors, Hall elements or MR elementsare used.

The second choke coil 45 (not shown in FIG. 4), the second capacitor 46and the second microprocessor 52 are mounted on the second surface ofthe second substrates 22.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, according to the drive apparatus 1,electronic components related to the first system 901 are mounted on thefirst substrate 21, and electronic components related to the secondsystem 902 are mounted on the second substrate 22. Specifically,according to the present embodiment, in the substrates 21 and 22, thepower section and the control section are not isolated, in which powerinput/output line related to power supply of the battery and signallines used for transmitting control signals are mixed.

According to the present embodiment, the substrates 21 and 22 areprovided at both sides of the heat sink 80 in the axial direction, andheat produced at the SW elements 301 to 306 and 401 to 406 are radiatedto the heat sink 80. Hence, in the first system 901 and the secondsystem 902, each system is unlikely to be influenced by the othersystem. Also, heat produced by the SW elements 301 to 306 and 401 to 406are radiated to the heat sink so that any difference in amount of heatradiation between the systems can be small. Further, circuitconfigurations for two systems including the heat-radiation structurecan be separated from the motor 10. Hence, various tests can beperformed for the circuit configurations as being separated from themotor 10.

In FIG. 5 which is a schematic side view, control components andconnector units are omitted. Similarly, in FIG. 7, these components andunits are omitted.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the connector unit 70 includes a cover 71, afirst connector 75 and a second connector 76. The cover 71 is formed ina substantial bottomed cylindrical shape, including a cylindrical member711 and a connector forming portion 715. A tip portion of thecylindrical member 712 is inserted into a groove portion 172 formed inthe cylindrical member 171 of the motor case 17 and fixed thereto by anadhesive or the like.

The internal signal terminal 717 is formed in the motor 10 side of theconnector forming portion 715. The internal signal terminal 717 isconnected to the first substrate 21 and the second substrate 22 and usedfor transmitting a signal between the first substrate 21 and the secondsubstrate 22. The internal signal terminal 717 is provided beingseparated from the terminals 755 to 758, and 765 to 768 and disconnectedfrom outside the drive apparatus 1 such as the batteries 39 and 49, thetorque sensor 103 and the CAN. According to the present embodiment, theinternal signal terminal 717 is used for transmitting the detectionvalue of the rotation sensor 60 to the second substrate 22 side. In moredetail, the internal signal terminal 717 transmits the detection valueof the second sensor 62 of the rotation sensor 60 to the secondsubstrate 22.

The connectors 75 and 76 are provided at a portion opposite to the motor10 in the connector forming portion 715. The connectors 75 and 76 aredisposed within the motor silhouette. The connectors 75 and 76 accordingto the present embodiment are opened towards opposite side of the motor10, to which the harnesses or the like are inserted into the axialdirection.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the first connector 75 includes a power supplyportion 751, a sensor connecting portion 752 and a CAN connectingportion 753. The second connector 76 includes a power supply portion761, a sensor connecting portion 762 and a CAN connecting portion 763.

The power supply portion 751 provides connections to the first battery39 and the ground. The power supply portion 761 provides connections tothe second battery 49 and the ground. The sensor connecting portions 752and 762 are used for connecting the torque sensor 103, and the CANconnecting portions 753 and 763 are used for connecting to the CAN.

A plurality of connectors are provided corresponding to the batteries 39and 49, the torque sensor 103 and the CAN. Accordingly, even in the casewhere a part of wirings is accidentally detached or broken, the processcan continue to operate at least either using the microprocessor 51 orthe microprocessor 52.

The power supply portion 751 of the first connector 75 is provided witha power terminal 755 and a ground terminal 756. The sensor connectingportion 752 is provided with a torque signal terminal 757. The CANconnecting portion 753 is provided with a vehicle signal terminal 758.The terminals 755 to 758 of the first connector 75 are connected to thefirst substrate 21.

The power supply portion 761 of the second connector 76 includes a powerterminal 765 and a ground terminal 766. The sensor connecting portion762 includes a torque signal terminal 767. The CAN connecting portion763 includes a vehicle signal terminal 768. The terminals 765 to 768 ofthe second connector 76 are connected to the second substrate 22.According to the present embodiment, the terminals 755 to 758 and 765 to768 correspond to “connector terminals”.

With reference to FIG. 6, connection between the terminals 755 to 758and 765 to 768, the motor lines 115, 125, and the substrates 21 and 22will be described. FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view when viewed from theconnector 75 and 76 side, in which non-overlapped region is illustratedin dotted-shadow pattern.

As described above, the motor line 115 connected to the first winding 11and the terminals 755 to 758 of the first connector 75 are connected tothe first substrate 21. The motor line 125 connected to the secondwinding 12 and the terminals 765 to 768 of the second connector 76 areconnected to the second substrate 22.

According to the present embodiment, considering a connection betweenthe second substrate 21 and the motor line 125, where the secondsubstrate is located in deeper side of the first substrate 21 whenviewed from the motor 10 side, and a connection between the firstsubstrate 21 and the terminals 755 to 758 of the first substrate 21 andthe terminals 755 to 758, where the first substrate is located in deeperside of the second substrate 22 when viewed from the connectors 75 and76, non-overlapped region is provided in which the first substrate 21and the second substrate are not overlapped when viewed from the axialdirection. According to the present embodiment, the substrates 21 and 22are formed in the same shape and are rotated by 90 degrees, wherebynon-overlapped regions RM1, RT1, RM2 and RT2 are provided, wheresubstrates are not overlapped. The term “the same shape” includes a casewhere substrates are disposed the other way round. Also, the term “thesame shape” includes a case where small differences between thesubstrates exist e.g., whether or not a notch portion exists.

The substrates 21 and 22 have two non-overlapped regions.

The non-overlapped portion RM1 of the first substrate 21 is defined as amotor line connecting region connected to the motor 115, and thenon-overlapped region RT1 is defined as a connector connecting regionconnected to the terminals 755 to 758 of the first connector 75. Theregion RM1 and the region RT1 are isolated by the overlapped region RD.

Also, the non-overlapped region RM2 of the second substrate 22 isdefined as a motor line connecting region connected to the motor lines125, and the non-overlapped region RT2 is defined as a connectorconnecting region connected to the terminals 765 to 768 of the secondconnector 76. The region RM2 and the region RT2 are isolated by theoverlapped region RD.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, according to the present embodiment, thenon-overlapped RM2 is provided so that the motor lines 125 extendsubstantially straight towards the second substrate 22 side withoutinterfering with the first substrate 21, whereby the motor lines 125 andthe second substrate 22 are connected. Similarly, the non-overlapped RT1is provided so that the terminals 755 to 758 extend substantiallystraight towards the first substrate 21 side without interfering withthe second substrate 22, whereby the terminals 755 to 758 and the firstsubstrate 21 are connected. Thus, an increase of the wiring space can beminimized and the wirings can be shortened.

As shown in FIG. 4, the motor lines 115 and the first substrate 21, andthe motor lines 125 and the second substrate 22 are electricallyconnected by a soldering or the like. The spring terminals 26 areprovided at the connecting portions between the substrates 21 and 22,and the terminals 755 to 758 and 765 to 768. The spring terminals 26 areformed to have as size depending on the size of the terminals to beinserted thereto. The spring terminals are made of conductive materialsuch as copper. In the first substrate 21, the spring terminals 26 areprovided on the first surface 211 facing the connectors 75 and 76 side.In the second substrate 22, the spring terminals 26 are provided on thesecond surface 222 facing the connectors 75 and 7 side. The terminals755 to 758 and 765 to 768 are inserted into the spring terminals 26,whereby the spring terminals 26 are elastically-deformed so as to comeinto contact with the terminals 755 to 758 and the 765 to 768. The endportions in the substrates 21 and 22 side of the spring terminals 26 areelectrically connected to wiring patterns corresponding to respectiveterminals to be inserted thereto.

Thus, the terminals 755 to 758 are inserted through the spring terminals26 provided on the first substrate 21, whereby the terminals 755 to 758and the first substrate 21 are electrically connected. Further, theterminals 765 to 768 are inserted through the spring terminals 26provided on the second substrate 22, whereby the terminals 765 to 768and the second substrate 22 are electrically connected.

The internal signal terminal 717 penetrates the substrates 21 and 22 inthe overlapped region where the first substrate 21 and the secondsubstrate 22 are overlapped when viewed from the axial direction. Itshould be noted that the internal signal terminal 717 does notnecessarily penetrate through the first substrate 21 which is locatedapart from the connector forming portion 715. In the substrates 21 and22, the spring terminals 26 are provided at portions to which theinternal signal terminal 717 inserted. The internal signal terminal 717is inserted into the spring terminals 26. The internal signal terminal717 is inserted into each of the spring terminals 26 of the substrates21 and 22, whereby the internal signal terminal 717 and the first andsecond substrates 21 and 22 are electrically connected. The terminals755 to 758 and 765 to 768 and 717, and the substrates 21 and 22 areconnected by the spring terminals 26 so that a soldering process or thelike in order to connect each terminal with the substrates 21 and 22 canbe omitted.

The drive apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is provided inthe electric power steering apparatus 108. Since the electric powersteering apparatus 108 has a function of turning the vehicle which isone of fundamental vehicle's functions, a redundant configuration isemployed so as to maintain a steering assist even if an abnormalityoccurs on either one drive apparatus. On the other hand, to expand spaceof the vehicle cabin and improve fuel efficiency, the size of the driveapparatus 1 is required to be small.

In this respect, according to the present embodiment, to provide aredundant circuit configuration, the non-overlapped regions RM1, RT1,RM2 and RT2 are provided in the configuration having a plurality ofsubstrates 21 and 22 so as to increase the wiring space. In thenon-overlapped regions, the motor lines 115 and 125 or the terminals 755to 758 and 765 to 768 are connected to the substrates 21 and 22. Thus,an increase in the wiring space due to the redundant configuration canbe avoided.

The terminals 755 to 758, 765 to 768 and 717 are arranged perpendicularrelative to the substrates 21 and 22. Here, “perpendicular” is notnecessarily mean that the angle formed between substrate 21 and thesubstrate 22 is 90 degrees, but tolerating design error or aninclination due to the elastic deformation of the spring terminals 26.The terminals 755 to 758, 765 to 768 and 717 are formed substantiallystraight to connect the substrates 21 and 22, whereby the terminals canbe shortened. Thus, wiring impedance can be reduced.

As described above, the drive apparatus 1 includes the motor 10, aplurality of substrates 21 and 22, and a plurality of connectors 75 and76.

The motor 10 includes a plurality of winding groups 11 and 12. Thesubstrates 21 and 22 includes switching elements 301 to 306, 401 to 406serving as a conduction control of the windings 11 and the windings 12,the microprocessors 51 and 52, and the integrated circuits 56 and 57 ascontrol components related to a driving control of the motor 10, thesubstrates being provided on one side of the motor 10 in the axialdirection thereof.

The first connector 75 is provided in the opposite side against themotor 10 across the substrates 21 and 22, including the terminals 755 to758 connected to the first substrate 21. The second connector 76 isprovided in the opposite side against the motor 10 across the substrates21 and 22, including the terminals 765 to 768 connected to the secondsubstrate 22.

In the first substrate 21, when projecting in the axial direction of themotor 10, two or more (two in the present embodiment) non-overlappedregions RM1 and RM2 are present where the first substrate 21 is notoverlapped with the second substrate 22.

The region RT1 as one of the non-overlapped regions is defined as theconnector connecting region connected to the connector terminals, i.e.,the power terminal 755, the ground terminal 756, and the vehicle signalterminal 758. The region RM1 as one of the non-overlapped regions otherthan the region RT1 is defined as a motor line connecting regionconnected to the motor lines 115 corresponding to respective phases inthe windings 11.

In the second substrate 22, when projecting in the axial direction ofthe motor 10, two or more (two in the present embodiment) non-overlappedregions RM2 and RT2 are present where the second substrate 22 is notoverlapped with the first substrate 21. The region RT2 as one of thenon-overlapped regions is defined as the connector connecting regionconnected to the connector terminals, i.e., the power terminal 765, theground terminal 766, and the vehicle signal terminal 768. The region RM2as one of the non-overlapped regions other than the region RT2 isdefined as a motor line connecting region connected to the motor lines125 corresponding to respective phases in the windings 12.

According to the present embodiment, the terminals 755 to 758 and themotor lines 115 are connected to the first substrate 21 in thenon-overlapped region, and the terminals 765 to 769 and the motor lines125 are connected to the second substrate 22. Thus, the terminals 755 to758, 765 to 768 and the motor lines 115 and 125 are extendedsubstantially straight to connect with the substrates 21 and 22. Hence,the wiring space can be minimized. Also, since the wiring can beshortened, wiring impedance can be reduced.

A plurality of substrates 21 and 22 have the same shape. Accordingly,compared to the case where substrates having different shapes are used,the number of types of components can be reduced.

According to the present embodiment, two substrates are disposed suchthat one substrate 21 is rotated by 90 degrees with respect to the othersubstrate 22. Thus, a space in the motor silhouette can be effectivelyutilized.

The rotation sensor 60 is mounted on the first substrate 21 disposed inthe most motor 10 side. Hence, rotation of the motor 10 can beappropriately detected.

According to the present embodiment, two substrates 21 and 22 areprovided, in which the substrate disposed in the most motor 10 side isdefined as the first substrate 21, and the substrate disposed in themost connectors 75 and 76 side is defined as the second substrate 22.

The heat sink 80 is provided between the first substrate 21 and thesecond substrate 22. At least a part of the switching elements 301 to306 and 401 to 406 are mounted on the first surfaces 211 and 221 as asurface in the heat sink 80 side, being capable of radiating heat to theheat sink 80.

Thus, heat produced by the switching elements 301 to 306 and 401 to 406can be appropriately radiated to the heat sink 80.

According to the present embodiment, two winding groups 11 and 12 areprovided. The first substrate 21 is connected to the motor lines 115connected to one wiring group 11. The switching elements 301 to 306related to the conduction control of the windings 11, the firstmicroprocessor 51 and the first integrated circuit 56 are mounted.

The second substrate 22 is connected to the motor lines 125 connected tothe other windings 12, including the switching elements 401 to 406related to the conduction control of the windings 12, the secondmicroprocessor 52 and the second integrated circuit 57 mounted thereon.

According to the present embodiment, components related to the firstsystem 901 are mounted on the first substrates, and components relatedto the second system 902 are mounted on the second substrate 22, suchthat the substrates 21 and 22 are provided corresponding to respectivesystems.

Thus, even if an abnormality occurs on one substrate, a drive control ofthe motor 10 can be maintained by the other substrate. Moreover, theheat sink 80 is provided between the substrates 21 and 22. In otherwords, the substrates 21 and 22 are located close to both sides of theheat sink 80. As a result, one system is prevented from being influencedby heat produced in the other system.

In the substrates 21 and 22, the spring terminals 26 are provided. Thespring terminals 26 are elastic-deformed when the terminals 755 to 758,765 to 768 and 717 are inserted thereto so that the spring terminals 26come into contact with the terminals 755 to 758, 765 to 768 and 717.Accordingly, the terminals are inserted to the respective springterminals 26, whereby the terminals and the substrates can readily beconnected. Also, manufacturing processing such as soldering forelectrically connecting the terminals and the substrates can be omitted.

The electric power steering apparatus 108 is provided with the driveapparatus 1 and the reduction gear 109. The reduction gear 109 transmitsthe power of the motor 10 to the column shaft 102, the motor 10outputting an auxiliary torque that assists steering of the steeringwheel 101 by the driver.

The drive apparatus 1 is applied to the electric power steeringapparatus 108, whereby the wiring space can be prevented from increasingin a configuration where a plurality of connectors and substrates areprovided. As a result, both of shrinking apparatus and redundantconfiguration can be accomplished.

Second Embodiment

The second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described withreference to FIG. 7. FIG. 7 corresponds to FIG. 5 in the firstembodiment.

As shown in FIG. 7, in the drive apparatus 2, components mounted on thefirst surface 211 of the first substrate 21 in the first embodiment aremounted on the second surface 212, and the components mounted on thesecond surface 212 in the first embodiment are mounted on the firstsurface 211. Specifically, the SW elements 301 to 306 are mounted on thesecond surface 212 of the first substrate 21. The SW elements 301 to 306are provided to be capable of radiating heat to the frame 18. In otherwords, in the present embodiment, the frame 18 serves as a heat sink.The frame 18 has a function of providing outer frame of the motor 10 anda function of the heat sink.

In addition to the SW elements 301 to 306, the current detectors 311 to313 and the first integrated circuit 56 or the like may be provided tobe capable of radiating heat to the frame 18. Similar to the firstembodiment, the SW elements 401 to 406 mounted on the second substrateare provided to be capable of radiating heat to the heat sink 80.

According to the present embodiment, the substrates 21 and 22 areprovided in the both sides of the heat sink 80 in the axial direction.Hence, similar to the first embodiment, in the first and second systems901 and 902, one system is prevented from being influenced by heatproduced in the other system. Moreover, the SW elements 301 to 306 aremounted on the second surface 212 of the first substrate 21, and the SWelements 401 to 406 are mounted on the first surface 221 of the secondsubstrate 22. In other words, both of the SW elements 301 to 306 and theSW elements 401 to 406 are mounted on respective surfaces in the motor10 side of the substrates 21 and 22. In the substrates 21 and 22, theelectronic components which require heat radiation are arranged in thesame side, radiating heat towards the same direction. Hence, a commonlayout can be used for the substrates 21 and 22. Accordingly, the numberof types of components can be reduced. The connection between the motorlines 115, 125, the terminals 755 to 758 and 765 to 768, and thesubstrates 21 and 22 is the same as those of the above-describedembodiments.

In the drive apparatus 2, the SW elements 301 to 306 mounted on thefirst substrate 21 are arranged to be capable of radiating heat towardsthe frame 18 which forms an outline of the motor 10 in the one siderelative to the axial direction thereof. The SW elements 401 to 406mounted on the second substrate 22 are arranged to be capable ofradiating heat to the heat sink 80.

Thus, common layout can be used for the substrates 21 and 22 so that thenumber of types of components can be reduced. Further, similar effectsto the above-described embodiments can be obtained.

Third Embodiment

With reference to FIG. 8, the third embodiment of the present disclosurewill be described.

According to the above-described embodiments, the power supply portion,the sensor connecting portion and the CAN connecting portion areintegrated. In the drive apparatus 3 according to the presentembodiment, the power supply connectors 85 and 86, and the signalconnector 87 are provided separately.

The first power supply connector 85 includes a power terminal 855 and aground terminal 856 formed thereon. Similar to the first embodiment, thepower terminal 855 and the ground terminal 856 are connected to thefirst substrate 21 in the non-overlapped region RT1.

The second power supply connector 86 includes a power terminal 865 and aground terminal 866 formed thereon. Similar to the first embodiment, thepower terminal 865 and the ground terminal 866 are connected to thesecond substrate 22 in the non-overlapped region RT2.

According to the present embodiment, the power supply connectors 85 and85 correspond to “connector” and the terminals 855, 856, 865 and 866correspond to “connector terminals”.

The drive apparatus 3 is provided with a single signal connector 87. Thesignal connector 87 is provided with a torque signal terminal 877 and avehicle signal terminal 878. The torque signal terminal 877 and thevehicle signal terminal 878 are connected to the first substrate 21 andthe second substrate 22. Similar to the internal signal terminal 717,the torque signal terminal 877 and the vehicle signal terminal 878penetrate the substrates 21 and 22 in the overlapped region where thefirst substrate 21 and the second substrate 22 are overlapped whenviewed from the axial direction, and are inserted into the springterminals 26, whereby the torque signal terminal 877 and the vehiclesignal terminal 878 are connected to the substrates 21 and 22.

Single torque signal terminal 877 is connected to the substrates 21 and22 so that the same signal can be transmitted to the substrates 21 and22. For the vehicle signal terminal 878, the same connection as thetorque signal terminal 877 is applied.

The mounting portions for the electronic components on the substrates 21and 22 may be the same as the first embodiment or the second embodiment.The third embodiment is thus configured and obtains the same effects asthe above-described embodiments.

Fourth Embodiment

According to the fourth embodiment and the fifth embodiment,configurations of a positional alignment of the substrates 21 and 22will mainly be described. The configurations of the positional alignmentin the fourth and fifth embodiments may be combined with any one of theabove-described embodiments. FIGS. 9 and 10 according to the fourth andfifth embodiments are schematic side views, in which the springterminals, electronic components mounted on the substrates 21 and 22 areomitted.

The fourth embodiment according to the present disclosure is illustratedin FIG. 9. In the fourth embodiment, heat sink is omitted and thesubstrates 21 and 22 are fixed to the frame 180.

As shown in FIG. 9, in the frame 180, a boss portion 188 for thepositional alignment is formed other than an unshown substrate fixingportion that fixes the substrates 21 and 22. The boss portion 188protrudes towards the controller 20 side, and formed in a column shape.

In the first substrate 21, a positional alignment hole 218 is providedto which the boss portion 188 is inserted. In the second substrate 22, apositional alignment hole 228 is provided to which the boss portion 188is inserted. The boss portions 188 are inserted to respective positionalalignment holes 218 and 228, whereby the substrates 21 and 22 arepositionally aligned. Thus, the terminals can be appropriately insertedinto the respective spring terminals 26. The position of the substrates21 and 22 in the axial direction can be determined by a substrate fixingportion or the like provided in addition to the boss portion 188.Further, similar effects to the above-described embodiments can beobtained.

Fifth Embodiment

Fifth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described withreference to FIG. 10.

As shown in FIG. 10, in the heat sink 82, a jig insertion hole 829 isprovided to which a positional alignment jig is inserted. In thesubstrates 21 and 22, jig insertion holes 219 and 229 are formed atportions corresponding to the jig insertion hole 829. According to thepresent embodiment, since the jig insertion holes 219, 229 and 829 areprovided in the substrates 21 and 22, and the heat sink 82, by using thepositional alignment jig 3 capable of inserting into the jig insertionholes 219, 229 and 829, the substrates 21 and 22 can be positionallyaligned. Thus, terminals can be appropriately inserted into the springterminals 26. Further, similar effects to the above-describedembodiments can be obtained.

Other Embodiment

(A) The Number of Systems

According to the above-described embodiments, two winding groups areprovided, in which SW elements and control components are provided foreach winding group. According to other embodiment, the number of windinggroups may be three or more. Also, three or more pairs of SW element andcontrol component may be provided.

(B) Substrate and Terminal

According to the above-described embodiments, two substrates areprovided. According to other embodiments, three or more substrates maybe provided. According to the above-described embodiment, three or morenon-overlapped portions for each substrate may be provided. According tothe above-described embodiment, one region in the two non-overlappedregions is the connector connecting region and the other region is themotor line connecting region. According to other embodiment, at leastone region in the connector connecting region and the motor lineconnecting region may be provided in plural number. Also, non-overlappedregions which are not the connector connecting region or the motor lineconnecting region may be provided.

According to the above-described embodiments, two substrates having thesame shape are rotated by 90 degrees so as to provide the non-overlappedregions. According to other embodiment, the rotation angle of thesubstrates may exclude 90 degrees as long as the angle can form thenon-overlapped region. Also, the shapes of the plurality of substratescan be different.

According to the above-described embodiments, each terminal and thesubstrate are electrically connected by inserting the terminal into thespring terminal. Also, according to the above-described embodiments, thespring terminals are provided in a surface of a base portion side of theterminal to be inserted. According to other embodiments, the springterminals may be provided on either one surface of the substrate, or maybe provided on a tip-end surface of the terminal to be inserted in eachsubstrate. Also, according to other embodiments, a connection method ofconnecting the terminal to the substrate is not limited to a methodusing the spring terminal, but any other method such as a soldering maybe used.

The motor lines and the substrates are electrically connected by asoldering or the like. According to other embodiments, spring terminalsmay be provided on the substrate for connecting the motor lines, and thesubstrates and the motor lines may be connected by the spring terminals.

According to the above-described embodiments, the terminals and thesubstrates are connected to be substantially perpendicular. According toother embodiment, the connection terminal may be obliquely insertedrelative to a plurality of substrates. Also, the motor lines and thesubstrates can be connected similar to the connection terminal.

According to the first embodiment, the power terminal, the groundterminal, the torque signal terminal and the vehicle signal terminalcorrespond to “connector terminals”. According to the third embodiment,the power terminal and the ground terminal correspond to “connectorterminals”. According to other embodiment, the power terminal, any ofthe ground terminal, the torque signal terminal and the vehicle signalterminal may be omitted among the connector terminals connected to thesubstrate in the non-overlapped region, or other terminals may be“connector terminals”.

According to the above-described embodiment, the internal signalterminal is used for transmitting the detection value of the rotationsensor. In other embodiment, the internal signal terminal may be usedfor transmitting information other than detection value of the rotationsensor between substrates.

(C) Control Components

According to the above-described embodiment, for the control components,two packages including a microprocessor and an integrated circuit areprovided for every system. In other embodiments, the control componentsmay be configured as single package or three or more packages for everysystem. Moreover, any of a pre-driver, a signal amplifier, and aregulator included in the integrated circuit may be omitted. At leastany of the control components may be shared by a plurality of systems.

(D) Rotation Sensor

According to the first embodiment, the rotation sensor includes twosensors. In other embodiments, the number of sensors included in therotation sensor may be one or three or more. According to theabove-described embodiments, single sensor includes a function ofcalculating a rotational angle and a function of calculating rotationfrequency. In other embodiments, the function of calculating rotationfrequency may be omitted.

According to the above-described embodiments, the first controller usesdetection values of the first sensor, and the second controller usesdetection values of the second sensor. According to other embodiments,detection values of the first and second sensors may be used for thefirst and second controllers. In other words, the internal signalterminal may be used to transmit the detection value of the first sensorin addition to the detection value of the second sensor of the rotationsensor.

According to the above-described embodiments, two sensors are configuredas one package. In other embodiments, a plurality of packages may beused. In the case where two sensors are configured as differentpackages, one package may be mounted on the motor side surface and otherpackage may be mounted on an opposite surface to the motor 10. In otherwords, any of packages may be mounted on the opposite surface to themotor.

(E) Connector Unit

According to the above-described embodiments, two or three connectorsare provided in the connector unit. In other embodiments, the number ofconnectors in the connector unit may be four or more. Also, according tothe above-described embodiments, the opening portion of the connector islocated in opposite side of the motor unit and harness or the like isinserted to the connector in the axial direction. In other embodiments,an opening direction of the connector is not limited to the axialdirection, but the opening portion may be located radially outside and aharness or the like may be inserted from radially outside. The number ofconnectors is not limited.

The connector unit according to the above-described embodiments includesa cover and connectors integrated therein. However, according to otherembodiment, the cover and the connector may be configured as differentbodies.

According to the above-described embodiments, tip end of the cover inthe connector unit is inserted into the groove portion of the motorcase, whereby the connector unit is fixed to the motor case. In otherembodiments, the connector unit may be fixed to the frame. Moreover,instead of using adhesive, the connector unit may be fixed to the motorcase by a screw or the like. The connector unit may be fixed to a frameother than the motor case.

(F) Drive Apparatus

According to the above-described embodiments, the motor is configured asa three-phase brushless motor. According to the other embodiment, themotor is not limited to three-phase brushless motor, but any other typeof motors can be used. Also, the motor is not limited to a motor but maybe a generator, or a so-called motor-generator having both of motor andgenerator functions.

In the above-described embodiment, the drive apparatus is applied to anelectric power steering apparatus. According to other embodiments, thedrive apparatus may be applied to an apparatus other than the electricpower steering apparatus.

As described above, the present disclosure is not limited to theabove-described embodiments. However, embodiments may be modified invarious ways without departing the scope of the present disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electric power steering apparatus comprising:a motor; a controller integrated with the motor in the electric powersteering apparatus and comprising electrical components mounted on asubstrate; and a connector unit including a cover that comprises a firstconnector and a second connector, the first and second connectorsconnecting power and signals to the electric power steering apparatus,wherein: each of the first connector and the second connector comprisesa power supply part and a signal connection part, the power supply partcomprises at least a power terminal, and the signal connection partcomprises at least a signal terminal; each of the power terminal and thesignal terminal extend from the substrate in an axial direction of themotor, in which the axial direction is substantially perpendicular tothe substrate; each of the power terminal and the signal terminal extendthrough the cover; each of the first connector and the second connectorare arranged within a silhouette of the motor along the axial directionof the motor; each of the first connector and the second connectorcomprises an opening positioned on a side of the cover opposite themotor in the axial direction of the motor, the first and secondconnectors being capable of connecting with a harness in the axialdirection; the first connector and the second connector are arranged innon-parallel on the substrate; the first connector and the secondconnector connect to and disconnect from the harness in a directionsubstantially parallel to the axial direction of the motor; and aportion of each of the power terminal and the signal terminal thatextends from the cover toward the substrate in the axial direction has asubstantially straight shape.
 2. The electric power steering apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the signal connection part includes asensor connector and a communication connector, the sensor connectorincludes at least a torque signal terminal; the communication connectorincludes at least a vehicle signal terminal; and the power supply part,the sensor connector and the communication connector are arranged in theorder of the power supply part, the sensor connector and thecommunication connector within each of the first connector and thesecond connector.